Welcome to the Lake District Holiday Guide helping you plan the perfect trip to the Lake District and surrounding areas, including where to stay and eat, days out and stunning walks.

The lake District is a place where people live and work. It is a region with an identifiable culture of its own, its own traditions, its own customs and folklore and its own heritage. One third of those employed are directly dependant on tourism.

The Lake District has a spectacular landscape with 16 major lakes and hundreds of tarns which were carved out of the landscape during the last ice age, all set amidst the highest mountains in England. The Lake District attracts some 14 million visitors each year, many from abroad in particular Japan and the USA. The park is cared for by the Lake District National Park Authority in partnership with other organisations. Tourism has now become the park's major industry, with Windermere Lake Steamers now the UK's second most popular charging tourist attraction and the local economy is dependent upon tourists. The negative impact of tourism has been seen, however. Soil erosion, caused by walking, is now a significant problem, with millions of pounds being spent to protect over-used paths.

The Lake District has become associated with many literary figures in particularly, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter but more recently Alfred Wainwright, whose ' Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells ' has drawn many people to the area . First published between 1952 and 1965, these books provided detailed information on 214 peaks across the region, with carefully hand-drawn maps and panoramas, and also stories and asides which add to the colour of the area. They are still used by many visitors to the area as guides for walking excursions, with the ultimate goal of bagging the complete list of Wainwrights.

Though the greatest attractions in the Lake District are of course the lakes and the fells, there are plenty of other attractions or places to visit, from Country houses and gardens, boat rides, castles and museums to theme parks and shopping - Something for all
Dove Cottage - Grasmere
The Wordsworth Trust was founded in 1891, to secure Dove Cottage for eternal possessions of all those who loved English poetry all over the world. Today, visitors experience the tranquillity of a site of outstanding beauty in the heart of the Lake District. As well as Dove Cottage - home to Wordsworth when he wrote his greatest poetry - the Wordsworth Museum tells the fascinating story of the poet and his circle, their life and their work.

Hill Top is a 17th-century house in Near Sawrey near Hawkshead, in the English county of Cumbria. It is an example of Lakeland vernacular architecture with random stone walls and slate roof.[1] The house was once the home of children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter who left it to The National Trust. It is open to the public and the house is shown as Beatrix Potter herself would have known it. This gallery has a display of original watercolours painted by Beatrix Potter for her children?s stories. Exhibits are changed annually. The 17th Century building was once the office of her husband William Heelis, a solicitor, and is substantially unaltered since his day. It is next door to the inspiration for Tabitha Twitchets shop.

Brantwood - Coniston, Cumbria
Brantwood was the home of John Ruskin from 1872 until his death in 1900 and is regarded as one of the most beautifully situated houses in the Lake District. It enjoys the finest views over Coniston Lake and mountain views in England and there is no other house in the district with such a diversity of cultural associations. Brantwood became an intellectual powerhouse and one of the greatest literary and artistic centres in Europe. Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, Marcel Proust and Frank Lloyd Wright can all be numbered amongst Ruskins disciples.

Brockhole - Windermere, Cumbria
Brockhole is an Edwardian house beautifully situated on the shores of Windermere; enjoy extensive landscaped gardens, lake cruises, adventure playground, guided walks and activities. There are two floors of exciting interactive exhibitions; introducing the National Park, the story of how the National Park evolved; the people who have shaped the landscape and the special qualities which make the Lake District landscape such an important part of our national heritage. There is also a gift shop, information centre, film theatre and café with terrace seating.

Activities and things to do in the Lake District - Something for everyone from easy walking and golf to paragliding and rock climbing and which could include Abseiling, kayaking, ghyll scrambling, mountain biking, horse riding, orienteering,hillwalking, caving and potholing, archery, sailing, mountain navigation and map reading.

Theatre By The Lake at Lakeside, Keswick -
Keswicks world-famous Theatre By The Lake has its origins in a mobile theatre that toured the country in the 60s and 70s. Its popularity declined everywhere except Keswick, and the mobile theatre became a permanent fixture. The theatre raised enough money to construct a purpose-built, permanent building, which now offers excellent facilities for performers and audience alike. Performances are as wide and varied as Shakespeare, Flamenco dancing, art film and jazz. There are regular matinees of family performances. Tel: 017687 74411

Windermere Lake Cruises -
Cruise the length of England's longest lake and enjoy the ever-changing panorama of Lake Windermere. Steamers and launches sail daily between Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside with connections for the steam railway. Open All Year.
For more activities and details see Lake District Activities